Highway traffic marker



Jan. l, 1935. G. c. AREY HIGHWAY TRAFFIC MARKER Filed June l5, 1952 Mfr/777% ATTORNEY,

Patented Jan. 1, 1935 UNITED STATE AvHIGHWAYl TRAFFIC MARKER Gordon C. Arcy, Fort ThomaaKy.A y Application June 15,1932, serial Nalcrzss "z claim.'v

'I'his invention relates to safety and traffic directing equipment and is particularly directed to a marker or indicating device for use on the surface of the streets and highways. The devices or elements to 'which the present improvement is directed are generally used in groups and by arrangement are capable of a variety'of signal and designating functions. They may be used for indicating a pedestrian crossing line at a street intersection, or a pedestrian lane at which the traffic must stop or may indicate the center of the street or roadway or may be used for marking out arrows to indicate the direction of trafiic and for spelling out various words on the surface of the streetV such as stop, arterial highway, etc.

The devices, as generally constructed, are each in the form of a plate or disc includingmeans for attaching the same in fixed position on the surface of the street. This invention is directed primarily to the construction of the plate for the purpose of including greater service and utility than heretofore has been possible.

The present invention is an improvement over the structure disclosed in my Patent No. 1,850,370, issued March 22, 1932. In this prior patent, structure is disclosed providing a surface arrangement for directly reflecting back the headlight rays of an automobile, thereby making the markers highly visible at night and asthe embodiment of this idea makes use of cross surfaces disposed at right angles to the light rays and in unobstructed view from the drivers seat.

It is an object of this invention to provide a marker element of the type disclosed in the pat' ent in which the cross surfaces, preferably plane, are inclusive of side facets disposed slightly angularly relative to the major portion of the cross surfaces, whereby the range of approach of the headlights from which the Vmarkers reflect back the light rays is increased. Automobiles approaching a row of markers disposed in the center of the street parallel to traffic will not always be close to the line or Irow and it is desirable to have this center line visible at all times at a wide approach. This same structure also aids greatly toward increasing the visibility of a row of markers disposed across the street as for a pedestrian lane or stop.

It is another object of this invention to provide a marker of this nature which is generally convex for elimination of undue obstruction to trafo, in which improved marker the cross reecting surfaces are laid or formed across the generallyconvex surfaces and the reflective substan-A tially vertical surfaces are well cleared for unob- "-ment of traffic thereover. f

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structed view reflection. 2 It is another object to provide a generally convex marker element of this nature-in which'the generally vertical refiective cross `surfaces are 5 formed of sufficient height and: with appropriate clearanceV for Aclear lightray approach orview from the drivers seat without entirely destroying the generally convex upper-surfaceofthe markers, thereby preserving 'a portion of this convex surface for daylight visibility, which daylight visibility'results because of the light striking the but-ton from all angles. 2 Y I It is a still further object to provide a circular marker which has cross reflecting surfaces dis-y posed toward the` light rays in. oppositeA or a pluyralityof-"directions and for the'purpose` of certain of the surfaces makes use of flattened sur- Y faces on the edge of the disc Without eliminating entirely the generally circular nature of the disc 20 which is an advantage for unobstructed move-y from thedrivers seat and eicie'nt It is a'still further object of this invention to provide a markerplate which includes improved means for preventing rotation thereof when'125 mounted on the surface of the street.

Other objects and further advantages will be more fully apparent from a description of the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan View of the improved marker plate.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2 2, Figure 1, detailing the arrangement of the reflective surfaces in the generally convex top surface ofthe marker and showingan attaching pin.

Figure 3 is an edge view of the disc looking toward the reflective surfaces and showing their general arrangement as they' appear on approach.

Figure 4 is a top plan view of a section of street, illustrating the arrangement of markers to make up guide lines and the word stop, and disposing the reflective surfaces toward the approaching vehicles.

Referring specifically tothe drawing, the disc or plate is generally indicated at 10 and the attaching shank or stud at 11. As one means for preventing rotative displacement of the device after it has been placed on the surface of the street with its rifeflecting surfaces disposed or arranged to face in. the proper direction and manner, the "shank or stud 11 is square or of any other regular shape as opposed to round. The type of pin used to anchor the plate of this invention is immaterial except that it be of a 55 shape to prevent rotation of a disc and also to prevent withdrawal after the pin has been set, the latter being accomplished by having a reduced shank portionv and an enlarged head or driving point. After the plates have been placed, the attaching pins or studs 11 may be driven through the plates into the pavement or placed within formed holes and concrete or hot tar poured about them, or they may beinitlally placed in a concrete or asphalt roadway before it hardens.

The surface of the plate as disclosed in the drawing is provided with a series of plane substantially vertically disposed riser surfaces 12 disposed crosswise thereon as generally related to the direction of trafllc. These plane surfaces are in step relation as formed on the plate in the generally convex top surface thereof and face in opposite directions so that they function in guiding traffic in opposite directions when placed in the street. The angle of these plane surfaces starting with the forward one gradually changes and each surface is tipped back a little more from the vertical, in this instance the first surface being slightly tipped back from thev ver- .tical and the degree of inclination proceeding 4from the forward surface.

This change in inclination takes place inwardly from the respective sides of the plate as illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawing. The functional advantage of this gradual tilting back has been fully set forth in the mentioned patent and it is not believed important that the details be set forth in this description.

In placing or laying these cross riser surfaces in the convex top surface of the plate, a certain amount of the convexity of the marker surface is preserved, this being indicated at 13. The height of the riser surfaces is calculated to provide a considerable area of plane light reflecting surface and the substantially horizontal surfaces 14 of the cross grooves formed in the upper surface of the marker for providing the vertical reflecting surfaces 12, are in a plane providing ample clearance to `these reecting surfaces 12 in each instance. By not making these notches too deep in the plate, a portion of the aforesaid convex surface is thus maintained.

By the provision of the headlight reflecting surfaces 12 properly disposed and the retention of some of the convexity of the disc as at 13, the plate successfully achieves both night time visibility and daylight visibility. It is recognized that a convex surface will pick up and reflect light from all angles during the day, whereas at night, when there is a limited amount of light from only certain directions and sometimes none at all, the light rays of the car lamps will intersect the cross surfaces and fully illuminate the plate.

As will be apparent from Figures 2 and 3, the general shape of thedisc is convex. Consequently no matter at which angle the trafdc moves over the plates there are no obstructions or sharp edges to be engaged by the tires. 'Ihis not only is an advantage in preventing undue damage to tires but is also highly advantageous' in preserving the life of the marker by the elimination of edge contact and shock thereon. It has therefore been found highly desirable to place the cross surfaces of this invention in a general convex disc.

It is also provided that, across the central portion 14 of the convex disc, a considerable area of the convexity is maintained which is of great advantage for further maintaining the daylight visibility of the plate.

In the formation of the lcross surfaces, it is desirable to form the first cross surfaces, namely 15, on each side by utilizing a plane cross edge or flattened edge in the generally circular edge of the plate. 'This does not destroy the genera-l circular form of the marker and is highly effective in that all available surface is used for reflection or disposed toward the line of approach.

The-light reflecting or cross surfaces of the marker, preferably in each instance, are provided with side facets 16 formed by continuing the cross surfaces `12 slightly angularly relative to the main portions thereof. These facets function for picking up light .rays from cars ap-l proaching the plates at an angle and provide that the markers are visible from a much wider range or angle of approach than heretofore accomplished.

'I'he undersurface of the marker is provided with a series of spurs 17 irregularly arranged thereon and adapted to imbed in the asphalt or roadway surface when the marker is placed and as trame moves over the same. These spurs securely anchor the plate in position and in combination with the pin effectively prevent any rotation thereof.

The plates are highly polished, particularly the vriser surfaces and the convex surface and are l preferably formed of an aluminum alloy or some other non-corrosive material which will retain a finish. The size of the plates may vary depending on the use and a wide variance is intended as well as the disposition of the cross surfaces in a plurality of deflnlte directions or lines lof approach.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A marking device for use on highways, comprising. a plate having cross surfaces formed on its upperside disposed in stepped relation and forming a plurality of riser surfaces, light refiecting and dominantly visible from an angle in a line of approach, said cross surfaces including facets slightly angularly disposed relative to each other providing that the riser surfaces are light reflective from a wide angle of approach.

2. A highway marker, comprising, a plate having cross surfaces on its upperside disposed in stepped relation and forming a plurality of riser surfaces, light reflecting and dominantly visible from an angle in a line of approach, said cross surfaces including facets disposed toward the ends thereof and angularly relative to the central cross surface portion, `whereby the cross surfaces will reflect back the light from a wide angle of approach.

3. A marking device for use on highways, comprising, a plate having cross reflective surfaces" formed on its upperside facing in opposite directions, said cross reflective surfaces each light reflecting and dominantly visible from an angle in a line of approach, said cross surfaces including facets slightly angularly disposed relative to each othercand providing that the riser surfaces are light' reflective from a. wider angle of approach.

4. A highway marker, comprising, a plate of generally circular form, opposite portions of the circular edge of said plate formed to provide cross surfaces disposed in opposite directions, and each of said surfaces including portions angularly disposed relative to the main portion of the cross surfaces, whereby said cross surfaces are adapted to reflect back light and to be dominantly visible from a wide angle of approach.

5. A highway marker, comprising, a plate of generally circular form, opposite portions of the circular edge of said plate flattened to provide reiiective surfaces disposed in opposite directions and adapted to reilect back light and to-be dominantly visible from the respective angles of ap- .proach.

6. A highway line marker, comprising, a plate having a generally convex upper surface, cross grooves formed in said convex surface and providing a plurality of riser surfaces, light reflecting and dominantly visible from an angle in a line of approach, said cross grooves spaced apart for preserving a portion of the convexity of said top surface sufficient for picking up and generally [reflecting the light during the day, whereby said marker is highly visible both during the day and at night.

7. A highway trailic lane marker, comprising, a plate, an edgeofsaid plate providing a flat cross surface, said surface inclined slightly from a vertical plane and polished to provide for light reiiection, and said surface having suicient height and length to provide for substantial light reflection.

GORDON C. AREY. 

